In general, only wastes generated within the Municipality of Anchorage are accepted.
The above list is informational and is not considered complete.
Additional information can be obtained from SWS at (907) 343-6262 if a particular waste product is not listed.

Large animal fecal waste will only be accepted at the ARL. Large animal fecal waste or large quantities from small animals require prior notification. Please contact (907) 343-6262 for scheduling assistance. Small quantities from small animals are accepted at CTS but must be double-bagged.

Antifreeze

Anti-freeze can be taken to the Hazardous Waste Collection Center at either ARL or CTS (residential only).

Appliances such as washers, dryers, fridges, freezers, and stoves may be brought to CTS and ARL for recycling. No other scrap metals will be accepted and/or segregated as recycling by SWS, but may be accepted as refuse and disposed accordingly. *Refrigerators and freezers are accepted at CTS and ARL for an additional $20.00 charge, per each unit, which covers the removal of the CFCs (Freon).

For other scrap metal disposal or recycling options, please reference your local phone book or the internet.

Residential non-commercial butchering waste is accepted at all facilities as long as it is a pickup truck load or smaller and does not contain liquid waste. Larger quantities should be coordinated with ARL staff for disposal. Please call (907) 343-6262 for scheduling information.

Wastes generated at a place of business is considered commercial waste. Typical commercial wastes include packing materials, office paper, lunchroom waste, etc. Chemicals and other similar items should be determined whether they are considered hazardous prior to disposal. If hazardous, the items may be handled through the Hazardous Waste Collection Center at the ARL. Some materials, such as toner cartridges, can be recycled through area vendors.

C & D is waste material generated during the construction or demolition of a structure. This typically includes wood, bricks, rubble, dry wall, roofing materials tiles, and concrete. This material is accepted at ARL. (Only wood and roofing materials are accepted at CTS.) In addition, residential loads at CTS and Girdwood must not exceed a pickup load size and be less than eight feet in any direction. Larger sized loads must be taken to ARL. Depending on the age of the facility being demolished, care must be taken to determine if any of the materials contains asbestos. If so, the materials must be handled in accordance with SWS Asbestos Handling Policy.

Wastes generated from households are accepted at all facilities. Wastes generated from non-household sources must be in containers less than one gallon and must pass the EPA' s Paint Filter test for liquids at room temperature. Quantities larger than one gallon must be coordinated with ARL staff. Please contact (907) 343-6262 for scheduling.

Residential customers may dispose of one television per day in their residential trash load at regular disposal rates. Residential customers wanting to dispose of more than one television in a day will be directed to the electronic waste facility located at the Anchorage Regional Landfill. Additional fees apply. Please contact NRC at 428-1742 for current rates.

Both computers and the monitors (CRTs) and older tube-style televisions may contain items that are hazardous. Of note, CRTs contain lead and as such are considered hazardous waste.

Residential, non-commercial fish waste will be accepted at all facilities. Liquid waste will not be accepted at any of the facilities. Large quantities of waste in excess of a pick-up load should be coordinated with ARL staff for disposal. Please contact (907) 343-6262 for scheduling information.

Fluorescent lights may contain mercury. SWS can accept up to 220 pounds per month, or approximately 350 bulbs, from any customer or business. Larger quantities may require testing for mercury. Light Ballasts - Light ballast's may contain PCBs. Unless the ballast is labeled as "non-PCB containing," the ballast is assumed to contain PCBs and is not acceptable for disposal at any of the facilities. Contact SWS at (907) 343-6262 for additional information. Also, refer to recycling.

Hazardous wastes are strictly prohibited from disposal. These include any waste that is toxic, reactive (oxidizers), flammable or corrosive (acids/alkalines). This also includes any EPA listed wastes. Refer to the Household Hazardous Waste Center or contact SWS at (907) 343-6262 for additional information.

Wastes generated from industrial or manufacturing processes must be first determined to be non-hazardous and must not be a liquid prior to evaluating the ability for disposal. Contact SWS at (907) 343-6262 for additional information.

Only treated medical waste is accepted at ARL in accordance with the Medical Waste Disposal Policy. Untreated medical waste is strictly prohibited for disposal. Contact SWS at (907) 343-6262 for additional information. Diabetic needles generated from home use can be disposed of in a puncture-proof container with the lid duct taped to it, such as a laundry detergent container. For disposal options for prescription and over the counter medications, see "Pharmaceuticals and Medications."

Paint can be water based, latex or oil based. In all cases, paint will likely be considered a Liquid Waste and disposal is restricted. Oil based paints are a regulated hazardous waste and are prohibited from being disposed of at any facility. Paints are accepted at the Hazardous Waste Collection facilities. Contact SWS at (907) 343-6262 for additional information.

Do not flush medications or pharmaceuticals down the toilet or wash them down the drain. This includes prescription and nonprescription medications intended to be swallowed, inhaled, injected, applied to the skin or eyes, or otherwise absorbed by the body. Anchorage Water & Wastewater Utility’s wastewater treatment facilities are not designed to filter out pharmaceuticals and medications. Participate in your pharmacy’s medication take-back program if it has one. If it does not, remove unneeded or expired medication from its original container and mix it with an undesirable substance (e.g., cat litter, coffee grounds, sawdust etc.) to discourage consumption by others and dispose of it in the trash.

While in the past the Anchorage Police Department and UAA Police Headquarters had been drop-off locations for pharmaceuticals, these services were discontinued effective March 24, 2015. We ask that the public contact their local pharmacy or healthcare provider for safe disposal options. Anchorage also hosts a one-day collection event twice a year (typcially April and October) for unused and expired pharmaceuticals with drop-off locations at several local grocery stores. VIsit http://www.dea.gov/ for information about these events and their locations.

Radioactive/Nuclear waste is strictly prohibited for disposal. Additional questions regarding the proper handling and disposal should be forwarded to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission at (800) 952-9677.

These materials may be subject to testing to determine if they are non-hazardous under the EPA TCLP test. Household generated quantities will not require testing. All materials must be no longer that eight feet in any direction. Contact SWS at (907) 343-6262 for additional information.

Appliances such as washers, dryers, fridges, freezers, and stoves may be brought to CTS and ARL for recycling. No other scrap metals will be accepted and/or segregated as recycling by SWS, but may be accepted as refuse and disposed accordingly. *Refrigerators and freezers are accepted at CTS and ARL for an additional $20.00 charge, per each unit, which covers the removal of the CFCs (Freon).

For other scrap metal disposal or recycling options, please reference your local phone book or the internet.

Storage tanks are handled similarly to drums. No residues of hazardous or liquid wastes may be present and the ends of the tank must be removed and the tank must be crushed. Disposal of large tanks that require additional handling should be coordinated with ARL staff. Call (907) 428-0864 for scheduling information.

Treated timbers, similar to railroad ties, must demonstrate that they are non-hazardous by passing the EPA's TCLP test. Size is limited to eight feet in any direction. Acceptance is on a case by case basis. Contact SWS at (907) 343-6262 for additional information.

All facilities maintain a collection point for recycling of used engine oil. Households are limited to disposal of less than 5 gallons per visit free of charge. Up to 10 gallons will be accepted at CTS with an additional charge of $1.00 per gallon for quantities over the initial 5 gallons.